The Church of Holy Wisdom, undoubtedly one of the greatest
architectural creations in the world, was built by the Byzantine
Emperor Justinian around 535 AD. It was transformed into
a mosque after the Ottoman conquest of the city in 1453.
Now a museum, it is awesome in size and contains beautifully
preserved Byzantine mosaics. This church is an absolute
must see.

Estimated
Travel Time

3 minutes walk

Hours
of Operation

Open

Close

Tuesday to Sunday

9:00
am

4:00
pm

Topkapi Palace Museum

Built in the 15th century, the Topkapi Palace was the
principal residence of the Sultan. It was the legendary
palace of the Ottoman Sultans from the 15th to the 19th
centuries. The palace has low buildings set in a series
of courtyards and is quite unlike its western counterparts.
Be sure to see the Harem (by appointment), the Treasury
and the golden-roofed Baghdad Kiosk.

This mosque was built in the early 17th century and is probably
the most famous mosque in the city. It is distinguished
by six slender minarets and walls covered with amazing blue
Iznik tiles. Open daily 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, except during
prayer times.

The
Grand Bazaar was built in the 15th century. It has several
gates: the most used one is at Cagaloglu and Beyazit (15
minutes walking distance from the Hotel). Istanbul's legendary
bazaar is a labyrinth of over 4,000 little shops and is
everything you dreamed an oriental market could be. It offers
gold, jewellery, carpets, silver bibelots, leather, ceramics,
copper and brass objects, hand-woven textiles and meerschaum
pipes.

The
Spice Market was built in the 17th century as an extension
of the Grand Bazaar. It is an exotic food market and bazaar
that sells spices, dried fruits, cheeses and olives, as
well as towels, slippers, baskets and jewellery. Outside
the market there is a wonderful flower and bird market.